Test Your Knowledge

Sleep disorders are any problems that prevent children from getting a full night of rest. In some cases, a child may have trouble falling asleep in the first place. In other cases, a child may have trouble remaining asleep, or may fall asleep at inappropriate times. Other disorders impact children’s sleep in various ways.

Sleep is an essential part of good health in all people. Most adults have a regular sleeping and waking cycle known as a circadian rhythm. It takes between three and six months before a child develops this cycle, which is partially responsible for the erratic sleep schedules of newborns.

During sleep, people alternate between non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM), the more mentally active stage of sleep when dreaming occurs. A baby’s sleep cycle is about 50 minutes, with about 50 percent spent in NREM and 50 percent in REM sleep. At 6 months of age, REM comprises about 30 percent of sleep. When children are between 2 and 4 years of age, their sleep cycle runs about every 90 minutes.

In addition, children require more sleep than adults. Up to the age of 2, most children are asleep more often than they are awake, and a person spends about 40 percent of overall childhood years sleeping.

Sleep disorders occur when children experience a regular interruption of their sleep schedules. According to the National Sleep Foundation, most children experience some sort of sleep disturbance. Some of these disturbances may be as simple as resistance to bedtime or to sleeping alone. Other cases are severe enough to qualify as sleep disorders.

Children with sleep disorders may be less alert and may display poor memory and performance skills, and delayed reaction times. As a result, sleep disorders can lead to difficulties in a child’s mental and physical development. They are also more likely to be moody and to engage in undesirable behavior. In addition, sleep disturbances and disorders tend to affect the family as a whole, with caregivers frequently unable to get enough sleep themselves. Lack of sleep, for any reason, can impact quality of life, relationships, careers and even safety.

Children who experience the occasional sleep disturbance usually do not require treatment. However, parents may want to consult with a physician if their child experiences episodes of sleep disturbances that occur several times a week or several times a night. Although this is often deemed a normal and temporary phase, it sometimes may indicate a more significant problem that requires medical care. This is particularly true if the disorder interferes with a child’s day-to-day behavior.

Comorbid sleep disturbances (in which there is an identifiable or apparent underlying cause of sleep problems) are far more common than primary sleep disorders. In most cases, this type of sleep disorder is temporary, but it can also cause significant distress to the child and parents. Colicky infants often sleep poorly, as do toddlers who are beginning to exhibit more autonomy and separation anxiety. This is a condition known as a disorder of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS).

In addition, it appears that sleep disorders in children may be associated with the development of other major health problems including obesity, diabetes and depression.